Beyond Curry: Cabbage Thoran (Kerala Style Stir-Fried Cabbage)

Get the Recipe

If your travels ever take you to the South Indian state of Kerala, or what is popularly called "God's Own Country," it won't be too long before you get acquainted with the delicious cabbage thoran.

Mildly spiced and brightly colored, cabbage thoran is one of those dishes that retains the delicate taste of the vegetable without drowning it in a host of spices and strong flavors.

A thoran is a type of dish that can be prepared with a variety of vegetables. The key ingredients—grated coconut, turmeric, black mustard seeds, shallots, green chillis and curry leaves—remain the same. And the vegetables can be changed according to seasonality or your preference.

Each thoran uses the same basic ingredients and tastes nothing like the other. From jackfruit and raw papaya to green gram and banana stem, thorans are high on exotic charm and absolutely delicious.

I've always found their appearance calming. Not merely because it is comfort food but because the ingredients seem to sit together peacefully, minimally fussed over and not altered too much.

During Kerala's Onam festival, thoran is part of the Sadya, a feast of 24 to 28 dishes prepared specially for the occasion. But it's also a simple, everyday dish that's quick to throw together. Once you've got your hot infused oil, just add the shredded cabbage, cook until it's just tender with a crisp bite, then stir in the grated coconut. Ready in just a few minutes, it's best served with rice and daal or deep fried puris.

Get the Recipe

Born half Anglo-Indian and half Manglorean Catholic in multi-cultural Mumbai- India, Denise has been surrounded by a wonderful assortment of all things delicious from a very early age.
Her penchant for food has led her on many amazing journeys across India where she charms strangers into sharing unique recipes and discovers a little more about her country with each bite.
She is fueled by an intense love for food and a determination to keep the food traditions of her ancestors alive. A motley bunch of Anglo-Indians whose cuisine is a unique combination of Indian spices and western flavours; and Mangloreans who are famed for their delicious coastal fare.
She shares her favourite recipes and love for all things deliciously Indian in her column Beyond Curry. Simple recipes that capture the real taste of India. The food served every day in homes across India. And some unique family favorites you won’t find in a restaurant. Most of the recipes have stories around them—like all good food does.

ADD A COMMENT

PREVIEW YOUR COMMENT

HTML Hints

Comment Guidelines

Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more in the Comment Policy section of our Terms of Use page.